Ball making machine



Aug. 23, 1938. R. DOWDELL BALL MAKING MACHINE 2'Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 7, 1937 flu/6222, 0) BMPHLJDOWDELL g) flue/f T a JTTOENEYJ Aug. 23, 1938.

R. L. DQWDELL BALL MAKING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 Z 73 fnl/ei ziar EAL PHL DOM/DELL Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BALL MAKING MACHINE mph L. Dowdell. St. Paul, Minn.

Application June I, 1937, Serial No. 146,826

21 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for the man-' ufacture of metallic balls, and has among its objects to provide a device which is compact and in which slugs can be rolled accurately to spherical shape, at great rapidity.

Features of the invention include: the mounting of the device on a motor as a base and the driving of the device by the motor; the use of three discs or plates between two of which a third disc operates; and adjustment of one of the discs for changing the spacing conformably to the desired size of the ball; the use of a device for cutting slugs and the mounting of the same on one of the discs which moves; the mounting of the disc and knife on a driving shaft common to both; the cutting of the slugs by means rotating with 'one of the discs; the arrangement whereby cutting takes place between the discs;

the utilization of the pairs of discs as means for forming a reservoir or hopper for the finished articles; the use of pairs of discs in tandem whereby one pair of discs delivers to a hopper and this hopper delivers to a second pair of discs; the provision of means whereby knife adjustment and space adjustment of the discs may be accomplished to provide for the manufacture of different sizes of balls; and all details of construction shown, along with the broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description of the drawings forming part of this application, and in said drawings Figure 1 is an elevation partly in vertical section showing my invention mounted upon and operated by an electric motor;

Figure 2 is a plan section on line 2-2 of Figure 1 viewing the spiral groove and knife mounted in the lower disc;

Figure 3 is a vertical section showing a modification in which means is provided on the rotative disc for adjusting the cutting means;

Referring first to Figure 1, the numeral I indicates an. electric motor of any preferred type operating with its shaft 2 vertical. n the top of the motor is secured, by means of screws, 9. plate 3. The shaft 2 has a bearing in plate 3. Rising 5 from plate 3 are three rods or spacers 4. The bottoms of the rods are threaded into the plate 3 and jamb nuts 5 are provided.

Mounted at the top of the rods 4 is a disc I having openings 8 therein through which the 10 upper end of the rods slidably pass. The upper ends are threaded, and have upper and lower adjusting and jamb nuts 9 and I0. These nuts with the threads provide means for adjusting the disc 1 relatively to the disc I2 to vary the spacing for producing balls of difierent sizes. The disc I2 is mounted upon the shaft 2 and is arranged below the disc I, and has on its upper faceaspiral groove l3. The plates thus cooperate to change the shape of bodies or slugs placed therebetween and to give such bodies or slugs a substantially spherical form. The plates thus provide means for forming substantially spherical bodies from irregularly shaped bodies or slugs placed therebetween. The cross-sectional areas of the groove 5 may be varied as well as the cross-sectional configuration and the grooves may be in the rotative disc as in Figures 1, 2 and 4, or in the stationary disc as in Figure 5.

Mounted on the disc l2 and thereforemovable with the driven disc, is means for cutting slugs from stock, (in this instance wire stock), and delivering the slugs between the plate. In fact, in this embodiment the cutting takes place between the plates which is a feature. This cutting means comprises a knife l5, (see Figure 2), which is set in a recess it, (see Figure 1) of the disc it.

A screw ll secures the knife, and said knife cooperates with the under surface 20 of the disc I to shear oil the projecting portion 2| of the stock wire 22. This stock wire is introduced through an opening 23 in disc 1, and may be fed by any suitable means such as rolls 24. In this embodiment the knife provides two shearing edges respectively designated 26, 21, in Figure 2. The knife may 5 have other shapes providing one, or morethan two cutting or shearing portions or edges.

The disc I2 is held to shaft 2 by screw 30. The rolling or shaping operation takes place in a hopper 3| having a slanting bottom 32 and a delivery spout 33. The present motor has a speed of rotation of about 1100 revolutions per minute, and thus very rapid rotation of the disc l2 occurs, with the rapid production of a stream of spherical bodies, which flow into the hopper from the periphery of the moving disc. Suitable space is provided between the periphery of the disc and the hopper wall to assure exit of the balls. It is noted that the knife is located in the center of the disc and that in this instance the slugs are carried from center to periphery.

One of the discs constitutes part of the cutting means inasmuch as the'knife cooperates with the bottom surface 20 of the disc I to shear-cut the slugs from the supply. It is noted that the balls are formed within the hopper in the structures of Figures 1, 4 and 5. This scheme has the advantage of compactness.

Referring now to Figure '7' the use of a V- shaped groove is preferred and is advantageous because it allows of size variation. Also there is a space 36 between the bottom of the body being rolled, and the bottom of the groove. Instead of making the groove strictly V-shaped, a channel 31 has been provided, allowing slightly more space below the ball to take care of the grindings. The same device indicated at 39 of Figure 6 has been provided for the spherical groove 49, thus leaving a space below the spherical working surfaces of the groove.

In Figure 3, a modification has been shown in which provision is made for adjusting, the knife when the spacing adjustment between the discs is made, so that the knife will always be in shearing relation with the under surface 20 of the top disc I,' and also to provide a separate adjustment of the knife support relatively to both discs. To these ends a cylindrical recess 50 leads downwardly from the top surface of the plate l2 and this recess is threaded as at 5|. In this recess 50 is fitted a plate 52 which is in threaded engagement with the threads 5|. The plate 52 has spanner-wrench openings 53, by

which it can be rotated to adiust it vertically by very fine adjustment can be obtained, it being means of the screw threads. In this manner a understood that very fine threads are used. The

:plate 52 has a socket 55, and in this socket is slidably arranged a knife 56. In the socket is also a spring 51 which presses the knife upwardly against the under surface 29 of the disc I. The opening 23 receives the stock wire 22 as in Figure 1. A screw 60 passes through the knife and into the plate 52 which screw is unscrewed when a down adjustment of the plate 52 is made. By this means the upper surface of the knife 56 remains in shearing relation with a surface 20 for all adjusted positions of plate 52 and of the disc 'I on the rods 4. By the adjustment of plate 52 as well as adjustment of the plate I, the device is adapted for operating on different size slugs to produce different size balls. Moreover, these adjustments can be made conformably to the character of the metal used, which adjustments are quite important in order to obtain just the right pressure, just the right character of feed, etc. The disc I2 is cut away as at 55, to provide leads for the slugs into the spiral groove, when the upper surface 66 of the plate is at a lower level than shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 4, this is a modification in which pairs of discs are used in what might be called tandem relation. This figure also shows how a stationary disc I of any pair can form the bottom of a receiving or supply chamber, and shows a simple schemeby which a any number of stationary discs can be connected together by casings in superposed relation. Each disc I, in this instance, is threaded as at III and the discs are connected by means of correspondingly threaded casings II. The lower disc in this figure has also connected thereto a second casing 12 and it will be understood that any number of the connections of this kind can be made to provide a stack of chambers having ball forming means therein.

In Figure 4 the stationary discs I form the top and bottom of a receiving chamber I3 into which balls are delivered from between the upper pair of discs I and I2 and from which they may be delivered through an opening I5, between the lower pair of discs I and I2. The upper disc I 2 has a recess 11 therein for receiving'the knife I8 ner-wrench openings 95 by which-they can be adjusted to vary the spacing between the discs. and when the spacing is increased a knife (not shown) is substituted for knife I8, the substitutedknife being of the proper vertical height to have its bottom rest on the bottom of the slot I9 with its top in operative relation with the surface 20. It is understood that the slot I9 is of. sufficient vertical height to accommodate a knife of the maximum vertical height,which may be required by the adiustment for maximum spacing between the discs. The discs I2 are suitably secured for rotation with shaft and the lower disc has a depression 81 in which is adjustably threaded a disc 88. In Figure 4; partly finished spherical bodies can be delivered through the opening I5 and'given a final finish between the lower discs. These finished articles are then delivered to the lower storage chamber 13*.

In Figure 5 has been shown a modification in which the spiral groove is in the upper disc I. In this instance the lower disc l2 which is rotative withthe shaft 2 has a smooth upper face 93. The lower disc is provided with the recess 50, having adjustably threaded therein the plate 52 in turn having a recess 55 and knife 56 therein, all as in Figure 3. The chamber I3 is here formed as in Figure 4.

In Figure l, the opposed faces of the discs are parallel. In Figures 3, 4 and 5, thesefaces are non-parallel. In Figures 3 and 4, the surfaces 2|] are slightly dished so that the space between the discs are convergent outwardly. In Figure 5 this outward convergence is obtained also by cupping the upper disc, but here the spiral groove is formed in the cupped surface. Of course either disc may be cupped, and either or both discs may have a spiral groove or grooves.

For convenience I have used the word disc" to designate the elements which cooperate to spherically form the non-spherical bodies or to finish bodies which have been roughed up into approximately spherical form. No limitation as to shape is intended by the word disc, because these elements may be of any desired shape. The disc, however, is a preferable shape for most purposes, since it is light of weight, and easy of formation. It may be stamped or molded.

I have also used the word "slug to designate a piece of supply material which is to be spherically or substantially spherically formed, and of course no limitation is meant by this word.

The present device can be used for completing tures are the cutting of the slugs by means rotating with the disc; the cutting between the discs;

and the formation of the bodies by means placed within an enclosure which may act as reservoir for or hopper for the finished articles or from which unfinished articles can be delivered to other discs.

I claim as my invention: I 1. In a device of the class described, a shaft having thereon a first disc, 9'. second disc opposed to the first, said discs having means for giving and being cooperable to give a substantial spherical form to non-spherical slugs placed therebetween, means forcutting slugs from stock material, part of said means being operated by said shaft, a hopper into which-the cut slugs are delivered, a second pairof discs constructed and operable in thefmanner of the first-mentioned disc, the second disc of the second pair forming the bottom of said hopper and having an opening through which balls are delivered between the second pair of discs.

- 2. A device of the class described comprising a motor having a shaft rising therefrom. a first member rotatable with said shalt, a second member above the first and having an opening through which supply material is fed toward the first member, means for adjusting the spacing between the members, said members having means for giving and being cooperable to give a substantial spherical form to non-spherical slugs placed therebetween, a cutter on the first member, a spring urging it toward the second member, and means for adjusting the cutter to cooperate with the second member to cut slugs from supply material fed through the opening of the second member.

a 3. A device of the class described comprising a motor having a'shaft rising therefrom, a, first member rotatable with said shaft, a second member above the first and having an opening through which supply material is fed toward the first member. means for adjusting the spacing between the members, said members having means for giving and being cooperable to give a substantial spherical form to non-spherical slugs placed therebetween, a cutter on the first member and means for adjusting it to cooperate with the second member to cut slugs from supply material fed through the opening of the second member, and a chamber'in which said members operate and forming a hopper into which the finished bodies are delivered from the members.

4; In a device of the class described, two vertically spaced pairs of ball producing means, each pair consisting of an upper and a lower member, each pair of members having means for giving and being cooperable to give a substantially spherical form to non-spherical slugs placed therebetween, a tube having threaded engageof members mounted coaxially for rotation relative to each other, one of said members being formed so as to progress a. slug oi. material along a spiral path ofincreasing radius with respect to said members, during .its formation into a ball, and means'ior introducing uniformed-slug material adjacent the axis of said members.

6. A ball forming machine comprising a.pair

' of members mounted coaxiaily for rotation relative to each other,one of said members being formed with a spiral way so asLto progress a slug vof material along a spiral-path of increasing radius with respect to said members, during its formation into a ball, and means'for introducing uniormed slug material adjacent theaxis of said members. '7. A ball forming machine comprising a pair of members mounted coaxially for rotation relative to each other, one of said members being formed so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path of increasing radius with respect to said members during its formation into a ball,

' one of said members being formed with an opening of a configuration such that they cooperateto roll an irregular body into a ball, one of said plates being formed with a hole for the introduction of stock adjacent the axis of rotation of the relatively rotatable plate, and a shear knife mounted on the other plate for rotation across said hole.

9. A ball forming machine comprising a pair of plates mounted in spaced relationship for movement relative to each other, said plates being of a configuration such that they cooperate to roll an irregular body into a ball, one of said plates being formed with a hole for the introduction of stock adjacent the axis of rotation of the relatively rotatable plate, a shear knife mounted on the other plate for rotation across said hole, and means for adjusting the plane of rotation of said shear knife with respect to said hole.

10. A ball forming machine comprising a pair of spaced plates mounted for rotation relative to each other, one .of said-plates being formed with a substantially spiral groove of substantially V- shaped cross-section.

11. A ball forming machine comprising a pair of spaced plates mounted for rotation relative to each other, one of said plates being formed with a substantially spiral groove of substantially V-shaped cross-section with a minor groove at the base of the V-shaped groove.

12. A ball forming machine comprising a pair 7 of spaced plates mounted for rotation relative to each other, one of said plates being formed with a substantially spiral groove of substantially semi-circular cross-section, and a. smaller groove at the bottom of the first groove.

13. A ball forming machine comprising a stationary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate, a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a way so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respect Itoo said plates so as to form said slug into a all.

14. A ball forming machine comprising a sta- 76 tionary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate, a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a spiral groove so as to progress a. slug of material along a spiral path with respect to said plates whereby to form said slug into .a ball. I

-15. A ball forming machine comprising a stationary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate, a plate mounted on saidshaft forrotation in spaced relation in a plane parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a spiral groove of substantially V-shaped cross-section so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respect to said plates to thus form said slug into a ball.

16. A ball forming machine comprising a stationary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate, a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a spiral groove of substantially semi-circular cross-section so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respect to said plates so as to form said slug into a ball.

17. A ball forming machine comprising a sta- 4 tionary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate, a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a way so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respect to said plates so as to form-said slug into a ball, and means for introducing slugs of material adjacent the axis of rotation of said rotatable plate.

18. A ball forming machine comprising a stationary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendic ular with said plate, a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane, parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a way so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respect to said plates so as to form said slug into a ball, said stationary plate being apertured for the introduction of $1118 stock adjacent the axis of said rotatable plate.

19. A ball forming machine comprising a stationary plate, a motor having a shaft perpendicular with said plate. a plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relation in a plane, parallel with said stationary plate, one of said plates being formed with a way so as to progress a slug of material along a spiral path with respectto said plates so as to form said slug into a ball, said stationary plate being apertured for the introduction of a continuous length of slug stock adjacent the axis of rotation of said rotatable plate, and means on said rotatable plate for shearing of lengths of stock into slugs as the plate rotates.

20. A ball forming machine comprising a plurality of stationary -plates, a motor having a shaft perpendicular of said plates, a plurality of plates mounted on said shaft for rotation in spaced relationship parallel with said stationary plates, said plates being formed so that material introduced between said stationary and movable plate will be rolled into a ball form, each of said stationary plates being formed so as to permit the introduction of material adjacent the axis of rotation of said movable plates.

21. A ball forming machine comprising a pair of spaced plates mounted for rotation relative to each other about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of each plate, one of said plates being slightly dished, and one of said plates being shaped with a way so as to progress material from a position adjacent the axisalong a spiral path relative to said members.

, RALPH L. DOWDELL. 

